6.12.16

We are organising an ART Exhibition for Asian women artists. We would like to invite artists to send in their proposals to Smita on her email smita@vaani.org.

There will be a large exhibition on the 18th March where we will exhibit selected art works, sculptures, art installations by local artists both amateur and professional. We will also display our young and adult winners of the past VAANI Art Competitions.

Only a select few will then go on to be exhibited for the next 3 weeks in the prestigious Ilford Central Library.

5.9.16

Sweta Vikram's latest chapbook Saris and a Single Malt echoes the grief that's universal but at the same time unique to each one of us.

It is a heart wrenching read. The poems are filled with anguish but at the same time beautiful.

Some lines from the book...

"I remember the knots in your saris--
your very own mnemonic device.
Beta, these remind me that I need to remember something,
you would say
and then forget what it was you needed to remember."

"I worry how I will preserve
the scent of your memories"

"I can't wear white, my bleeding heart will ruin it"

Pain is perceived as dark but somehow Sweta manages to share with us the various colours of an emotional trauma. In the beginning the poems are more subtle but teeth clenching. We await to hear the news with the poetess.

The middle section poems are fiery, angry, confusing and passionate whereas the last section draws to a conclusion where we see the change is evident due to loss.

Words cannot explain such feelings to the fullest but they can paint a picture. Sweta once again creates a very visual painting in this new book.

31.8.16

We are pleased to announce that we are organising a Tea with VAANI. The event is part of Redbridge Celebrating Black History Month. The event consists of Poetry reading, discussion and Q&A.

Our chief guest is well known Poetess Shanta Acharya. An internationally recognized poet, Shanta has published five collections of poetry. Her poems have been widely anthologized appearing in major publications in the USA, UK and India. To know more about her please visit her website here.

We would like to invite people both young and old to come and read their original poetry on the evening.

Please contact Smita on info@vaani.org to book your place or if you are interested to read. Timely arrival is necessary to enjoy the evening to full.

6.7.16

I hope you are well and your week is going as planned. I'm back to remind you that there are just two days to go for VAANI Culture Night. If you haven't bought your ticket yet please buy yours now. Due to limited seats available to us and most of the tickets already sold, the chances of tickets available on the door are fairly slim.

Radhika Iyer of NDTV

Poonam Joshi of ABP News (STAR TV)

This is the time to reveal the names of the VIP guests we are expecting this year. We have Radhika Iyer of NDTV, Poonam Joshi of ABP News (STAR TV), Redbridge Deputy Mayor Cllr Zulfiqar Hussain along with the Deputy Mayoress Ms Shehla Hussain (daughter).

We have a heart throbbing Dance Competition lined up for you. The guest Judge for Dance competition is Honey Kalaria of Honey Kalaria Dance Academy.

Honey Kalaria

Redbridge Deputy Mayor Cllr Zulfiqar Hussain

One of amazingly talented 15 year old

Ankita Goswami

Ankita Goswami is singing for us on the night. She has won Hainault got talent, OpenMic UK, performs regularly in Redbridge Music Lounge, her performances has been covered by Zee TV, Channel S and Bangla TV. Currently she is competing in the Summer of Sound Competition. Please help her win the competition by liking her video on youtubehttps://youtube.be/k6b6-Vu_Gfc

Please make sure you arrive slightly before time to collect your ticket receipts as we would like to start the program at 7.00pm.

*****Mouthwatering FOOD Stall and a select few stalls of Accessories, clothing etc will be there with highly subsidised prices specially for VAANI Audience.******

We have over £500 worth of Gifts to give away in Raffle.

I'm sure you do not want to miss this fantastic fun filled exciting evening so please get in touch NOW!

If you have made a payment into VAANI's bank account but haven't received a confirmation please contact me ASAP.

3.7.16

You are Invited!

You wouldn't want to miss the night full of fun and entertainment!

This year, we are celebrating the 7th year of VAANI Culture Night. We have an amazing line up of some extraordinary group dance performances, songs and an award ceremony for the winners and participants of the VAANI Competitions. Visit us at www.vaani.org

Buy your tickets RIGHT NOW to avoid disappointment. We have LIMITED seats and tickets are going fast.

PLEASE BUY YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE Only a few will be available at the door. On the door ticket price £7.00 per person for ages 5+.

Advance ticket price: £5 per adult, £10 per Family includes 2 adults and 2 children up to 15 years. Children under 5 years are FREE.Account Details for Ticket Payments:Account Name: VAANIBank: HSBCAccount No.: 42243024Sort Code: 40-25-27Reference: VCULT followed by number of tickets paid for.

24.6.16

The wait is over. VAANI Competitions 2016 is here again! On Saturday 25th June 2016 have a Family FUN Day Out with a difference. With yummy FOOD STALLon hand selling all food items in only £1, please do not forget to bring loads of change with you.

Also, remember this is the best chance for you to buy your tickets for the 9th July 2016 Culture Night/Award function. Tickets are going fast so grab yours ASAP.

REMEMBER ticket price on the door is £7 per person while Advance ticket is £5 and advance family ticket is £10 includes 2 adults and 2 children under 15 years of age.

Please check the timings of the competitions and the RULES. If you haven't registered yourself yet please do so today or just drop in on Saturday.

LATE arrivals may result in disappointment so please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start times.

1.VAANI Chess Board Game Competition 2016NEW

Date: 25/06/2016

Time: 10:30am - 13:30pm

Entry: £2Venue: York Room1st floor Ilford Central Library

Rules: We will provide chess board sets.Three age groups:Under 10 years, Under 17 years and Adult

19.6.16

LAST DATE TO SUBMIT your entries for Photography Competition, Short stories and Poem Competition is 26th JUNE 2016.Please see the details below:

VAANI Photography Competition 2016

Last Date to submit entry: 26/06/2016 midnight

Rules: Only digital copy accepted. Maximum two entries per person. Each entry should have a max 50 words description. Use of photoshop, creative artistry allowed to match the theme. But the photographs must be original i.e. taken by the entrants.Theme: "To be or not to be"

Three age groups:Under 10 years, Under 17 years, AdultTo submit email: submissions@vaani.org

I hope you are doing well. I understand you must be feeling relieved as GCSE's and most of the school exams are over by now. Parents as well as children are now wondering what to do. VAANI Competitions come in handy and give you all a FUN Family Day Out with a difference. Just FIVE days to go... Please mark 25th June in your calender. We have a professional FOOD STALL with nominal prices on the venue to keep the energy levels going.

If you haven't registered yet, please do so at the earliest.

Please double check the timings of the competitions so that you do not miss out on anything. Also, remember to bring in lots of change.

1.VAANI Chess Board Game Competition 2016NEW

Date: 25/06/2016

Time: 10:30am - 13:30pm

Entry: £2Venue: York Room1st floor Ilford Central Library

Rules: We will provide some chess board sets.Three age groups:Under 10 years, Under 17 years and Adult

Competitions are followed by Award function and Dance competition on 9th July.

We have an amazing line up of guests attending and distributing awards this year. Some of medias' well known names as well as professional artists will be there. The competitions and award functions are very well attended.

To run successful events we need expert volunteers. In our time of need we have always reached out to the community and found great help and support. We have the following requirements for the events on 25th June and 9th July:

Requirements for 25th June 2016:

4 event co-ordinators

Requirements for 9th July 2016:

Four Hosts/hostess

6 volunteers for backstage co-ordination

1 volunteer for videography

4 volunteers for event co-ordination

2 volunteers for Box office co-ordination

We encourage young adults to volunteer and get involved so that they get first hand experience of being part of the community and learn a new skill that can be included in their CV.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries or you would like to discuss anything.

Judges: TBC Rules: Only digital copy accepted. Maximum two entries per person. Each entry should have a max 50 words description.Theme: "To be or not to be"Three age groups:Under 10 years, Under 17 years, AdultTo submit email: submissions@vaani.org

Time: 19:00pm - 22:00pmEntry: £10 for family of four includes 2 adults and 2 children.£5 single Adult entryVenue: TBCJudges: TBC Rules: Only group dance entry to competitionDance acts should be uniqueTo register interest contact Deepika Verma on 07879663251 or email: deepika@vaani.org

VAANI Short Story and Poetry Competition 2016

Submission last Date: 15/06/2016Theme: "To be or not to be"Rules: Maximum 5000 words stories

Maximum 150 words poems

Not more than 2 entries per person

Age: Under 10 yearsUnder 17 years andAdults

Email entry to : submissions@vaani.org

******Please visit our website again for further information and updates.*******